Traffic management’s still stuck at the crossroads in Delhi

The report 40 lakh vehicles use Delhi roads every day (May 1) shows that the traffic situation in the capital is worsening by the day. There’s no infrastructure to support the increasing number of vehicles and Delhi doesn’t have an integrated transport policy. Restricting the number of vehicles on the roads is impossible. Instead, the alternative is to take lessons from other countries and switch to a hi-tech traffic management system. With the Commonwealth Games less than six months away, it is important that senior government officials take note of the traffic problem in Delhi and formulate an efficient strategy to tackle it.

A.L. Agarwal, Delhi

It’s loud and clear now

With reference to the editorial Beat them at their game (Our Take, April 4), the verdict on Ajmal Kasab, one of the 26/11 perpetrators, has sent a strong message to those who wish to disrupt peace in India that we are serious about our zero-tolerance approach to terrorism. The government should now ask Pakistan to extradite other terrorists who were involved in the planning and execution of the Mumbai attacks. It should also ask America to give our officials access to the 26/11 mastermind David Headley.

Ashok Goswami, Mumbai

Love is blind to caste

With reference to the report Mom held for scribe’s death (May 4), it’s shameful that a young journalist lost her life following an alleged squabble with her parents on the issue of inter-caste marriage. It is disheartening to learn that even in the 21st century, India is yet to get rid of the centuries-old caste system. Marriage is a sacred institution where mutual trust and love form the basis of relationship. Every person should be given the freedom to choose his/her life partner.

Avantika Pal, via email

No drinking to our health

K. Anji Reddy in his article Not a pipedream (May 3) outlines a horrifying reality. The fact that around 700 million people do not have access to clean drinking water should be a matter of concern for the government. It’s ironic that a nation that boasts of a space programme that explored water on the moon has failed to provide drinking water to its citizens.

Kajal Chatterjee, Kolkata

Who moved their resources?

The recent political drama in Jharkhand, following Chief Minister Shibu Soren’s support to the UPA in the cut motions, confirms that politics is responsible for the state’s failure to progress since its inception nine years ago (Soren to continue as Jharkhand CM, May 3). The state’s formation has benefited only politicians, who are siphoning off natural resources and funds from the Centre that are meant for the state’s development, while the common man continues to suffer from poverty, malnutrition, unemployment and corruption.

Vinoy Kumar Sinha, Ranchi

NDA cut down to size

Pankaj Vohra in Cut motion: a short-term victory (Between Us, May 3) is spot-on in his analysis that some factions of the NDA lack common sense. The UPA’s cut motions were a golden opportunity for the NDA to confront the government on the issue of price rise. By abstaining from voting, the NDA lost its chance to prove that it’s a strong Opposition. It also reveals that selfishness continues to be the guiding principle for a majority of our politicians. Also, Vohra’s argument that the Congress’s victory in the cut motions is temporary, as the party seems to be losing its popularity among masses, is cogent.